#91 is a brightened green with soft, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It was powdery and had so-so color payoff–and my individual version was much smoother and more pigmented. I had a lot of trouble getting this shade to look vibrant on the lid and blend with the other shades. Illamasqua Fledgling is much darker, whereas Illamasqua Pivot is much lighter. MAC Wondergrass a touch darker and shimmery.

#72 is a medium blue with a matte finish. It had so-so color payoff and was a bit powdery. The color stained a little bit when I swatched it, but wearing it over a primer to test wear (because it didn’t work well at all on its own), it didn’t. The original that I have is more intense–so much more pigmented. NARS Mad Mad World is richer. Wet ‘n’ Wild Drinking a Glass of Shine #3 is darker, less cyan. Inglot #371 is a bit darker and more opaque.

#17 is a medium-dark brown with warm, tan undertones and a matte finish. This was the best performing shade in the palette–nicely pigmented, smooth, and soft. Dolce & Gabbana Cocoa #3 is lighter and pearly. theBalm Tres Moi is redder and frosted. Inglot #357 is lighter.

#126 is a light beige with warm, peachy undertones and a soft, frosted shimmer-sheen finish. It had good color payoff and applied smoothly, but it was a tiny bit powdery. Urban Decay Broken is similar but less shimmery. Wet ‘n’ Wild Comfort Zone #1 is less shimmery, more frosted. MAC Ricepaper is more satiny.

I used four of the eight shades in a look, and I opted to go for the brighter shades since I figured those would be the shades that were most eye-catching within the palette. I expected a quick, easy, and overall fuss-free application, but I had a very opposite experience: the powderiness present across many of the shades made it difficult to get rich, opaque color payoff and blend the colors at the same time. I would apply #91 and pack it on, then I’d go to blend it, and half of it would disappear into the ether. I’ve never had this problem with Make Up For Ever’s eyeshadows. They’re one of my favorite brands for matte eyeshadows, because they aren’t dry and powdery and prone to sheerness.

#116 was the worst offender, followed by #91. #04 and #17 were the easiest to use out of the eight. I’m surprised and shocked at the way these applied. I tried using the same eyeshadows on two separate days, in case maybe my lids just weren’t right for them. I had to use the eyeshadows over primer to see any color really stick to the lid, and still, I couldn’t get full color payoff on #91. After the tenth time packing on the color, I threw in the towel (err, brush?). I think you need to use a creamier, whiter base underneath these to really get them to work well. Over Make Up For Ever Prime, the eyeshadows lasted eight hours but did look faded, though no creasing.